Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sent a message to the NFL by participating in the team’s first OTA on Tuesday, considering he was writhing in pain from a torn ACL and LCL on the grass of Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 14.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is also authoring a superhuman recovery.
Jones tore his Achilles — an injury that used to be a death knell to athletic careers, especially in the NBA — on Dec. 7. Less than six months later, Jones was back navigating the pocket and throwing at the Colts’ OTA on Wednesday.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported that Anthony Richardson Sr., the Colts’ fourth overall pick in 2023, took the first snap of the Colts’ offseason “in a full team setting (offense vs. defense), while Jones was “limited to individual drills for now.”
Nevertheless, it’s remarkable to see Jones mobile and able to participate in any capacity.
When meeting with reporters after practice, Jones said he “absolutely” expects to be the Colts’ starter against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
“It just feels more like you’re back in the swing of things and back part of it,” Jones said of his participation in Wednesday’s OTA, per Holder. “It’s been good this week to be back.”
The New York Giants drafted Jones sixth overall in 2019. After an up-and-down, injury-riddled tenure, he requested his release and was granted it in November 2024. He finished the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings. The Colts signed Jones as an unrestricted free agent in March 2025, and he quickly beat out Richardson for QB1.
Jones and the Colts were on fire to start last season. Jones played efficiently and seemed in total command of Shane Steichen’s offense, leading the Colts to an 8-2 record before their bye week. It all fell apart after that. Jones’ past turnover tendencies began to reappear. He played through a fractured fibula before tearing his Achilles, and the Colts finished the season on a seven-game losing streak.
The Colts clearly believe the Jones they saw for the first 10 games is the quarterback they can count on moving forward, as they signed him to a lucrative two-year extension in March.
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